Fountain marking device



June 1, 1943. J N 2,320,823-

FOUNTAIN MARKING bEVICE Filed March 25, 1942 I INVENTOR JuJT/N 17 lf/A/'sav BY 1 PM 33% Mm a. EM

ATTORNEYS Patented June I, 1943 2,320,823 FOUNTAIN MARKING DEVICE New York Application March 25, 1942, Serial No. 436,074

8 Claims. (Cl. 120-43) This application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 406,998,

filed August 15. 1941.

The present invention relates to fountain marking applicators for use with thin free flowing inks and more particularly to an improved fountain marking device utilizing volatile solvent dye inks as distinguished from pigment inks.

The present invention has for its object the provision of a novel and improved fountain marking device for use with volatile solvent dye inks such, for instance, as those containing hydrocarbons, fatty acids, esters, ketones and aniline dye.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an inexpensive, fountain pen size marking device which may be conveniently carried in the pocket in any position without danger of flooding or leakage and which, once its resorvoir has been filled, is always ready for immediate use without any preliminary preparation or priming thereof.

- Prior to the present invention, liquid distributors of various sorts were available for dispensing small quantities of water, mucilage, bootblacking and the like. In general they comprised a reservoir, stoppered with an applicator-head of hair, rubber, absorbent material or the like, to and over which the liquid flowed from the reservoir. Many of these liquid applicators were also provided with spring closed valve means to cut fere with proper flow of ink down the outside surface to the writing point.

Not one of these prior fountain devices, however, can be used satisfactorily to write or mark with thin, free flowing, quick drying, volatile solvent dye inks, such as the improved marking device of the present invention has been designed to accommodate because the joints formed by their constituent parts are not sufliciently gastight and solvent-tight to retain such inks against evaporation and leakage when the device is not in use and, furthermore, such parts, particularly those located between the resorvoir and the applicator head, were not designed to properly con trol the rate of flow of such free flowing dye inks from the reservoir to the marking point when the applicator is in use, resulting in leakage and flooding of the surface being marked.

The nature of commercially available solvent dye ink such as is used with the device of the present invention is such that when it is exposed for a short time to even a relatively slight temperature increase it volatilizes rapidly. When the ink is contained in a closed chamber, such as it would be in reservoir l, continued application of body heat by conduction from the hand;

' up of gas pressur in the reservoir. As will here- 03 the supply of liquid flowing from the reservoir to the applicator head, when the dispenser was not in use.

In addition, heavy, cumbersome, fountain marking devices for use with thick, slow flowing, pigmented inks were available for marking boxes, crates and the like. In general, these were provided with a reservoir, a metal-capped compressed absorbent material nib and a spring closed valve and opening between the reservoir and the metal cap of the nib. In operation, pressure on the writing portion of the nib caused opening of the reservoir valve allowing a not readily determinable quantity of the relatively thick ink to flow down through the opening to the metal cap of the nib and thence down the outside surface of the nib to its writing point,

resulting, almost invariably, in an overflow of ink upon the work.

After initial use, such a pigmented ink applicator, unless it first had been thoroughly cleaned,

would retain an excess deposit of slow drying thick ink on its outer surface which would both soil the fingers of a subsequent userand interinafterbe explained, this volatilization and subsequent building up of gas pressure in the reservoir is compensated for during the operation of applicants device so that none of the deleterious effects as would normally be expected to occur,

such as flooding of the nib and leakage of the ink upon the surface being marked, results therefrom.

With the improved marking device of the present invention the user is provided with a convenient fountain pen size ink marker which may be conveniently carried in any position when not in use without leakage, and which when put into use immediately responds with a controlled even ink flow.

The drawing figure shows the marking instrument in side elevation and partly in section.

Referring now to the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawing, the fountain marking device comprises a reservoir l internally threaded at its open end as at 2 to receive the male threaded end 3 of a conical tip member 4, a tight seal being effected between these members by-means of a flexibleplastic gasket 5.

The tip member 4 isprovided with an auxiliary reservoir 6 comprising a hollow cylindrical chamber or bore having a large opening 1 at its lower end and a small opening 8 at its upper end opening into a smaller tubular channel or bore 9 which is connected at its other-end with reservoir I.

Normally closing the upper end of channel 9 is a metal capped flexible plastic valve head H) which seats on the upper end I l of tip member 4. A hooked pin 12, to the upper end of which is fastened valve head l0, passes down through channel '9 and into chamber 6 where its hooked portion is fastened around one of the lower turns of a helical expansion spring I 3 which maintains valve head l tightly in position upon seat I I except when spring I3 is compressed by upward pressur upon a compressed felt nib l4.

Nib I4 is provided with a tight-fitting, rigid cylindrical band l5 (having a diameter substantially .that of the nib which it encircles) encompassing it from near itsupper end to a short distance from its writing point for the purposes of retaining compression of the felt, to impart to the nib additional stiffness or rigidity and to provide a uniformly snug slidable fit of the nib in its retaining chuck. After long, continuous use a compressed felt nib not provided with such a band or collar ['5 will sometimes become saturated and swell to such an extent that it becomes so wedged in the chuck of the tip member 6 as to prevent spring 13 from expanding sufiiciently to tightly seat valve head i0, thereby permitting ink to seep down channel 9 to the marking point. In order to obviate the possibility of such an occurrence the band l5 has been provided.

Extending down the center of the nib 14 from the top thereof to a short distance up from its writing point, is a small diametered swooth-surfaced core i 6, which may be of metal or any other smooth-surfaced, substantially rigid material. Applicant has found that an ordinary common pin may be advantageously used for the core. The purpose of this core and the part it performs in the operation of the device of & applicant's invention will be explained later in this specification.

Use of the fiexible plastic gasket 5 and valve head it both made of a synthetic rubber-like composition which is impervious to dye ink solvents and gases generated thereby, prevents leak ing out of even the most volatile dye inks.

A frictionally fitting cap member H is provided for sliding over the tip portion of the marker when it is not in use.

When it is desired to put the marker, in condition for operation, cap I? and tip member 4 are removed from the barrel or reservoir l which is then held open end up and filled with the desired color volatile solvent dye ink after which tip member 4 is tightly replaced on the reservoir.

tip,'the rate of fiow, as will later be explained,

being greatest through the center fibers of the nib and along the surface of its core 16.

It has been foundthat when the ordinary compressed felt or other fibrous type of nib without a core is first used, the ink flows down-through the banded coreless variety the rate of fiow is each and every fiber thereof. Thereafter, when the felt has become saturated, the flow is almost entirely down along the outermost fibers thereof resulting in too free a flow and sometimes leakage of ink upon the work. When the nib is of greater down along the outside surface of the band or collar resulting in even greater leakage.

When, however, the nib is provided with a core such as a pin I6, the ink is directed away from the band and the outside fibers of the nib and the rate of fiow is greatest down through the fibers adjacent the core and along the surface of the core itself to the end thereof, from whence it fiows to the writing tip at the end of the nib.

This phenomenon of ink fiow may be atributable to preferential wettability of the core relative to the compressed fibrous material comprising the nib, which under ordinary circum stances is impregnated with a certain percentage of waxy or oily substance which tends to retard the ink fiow.

Looking at it from another viewpoint, it may be said that the surface tension along the outside of the core is less than that of the compressed felt fibers comprising the nib and hence the ink fiow takes the path of least resistance. In any event with the use of the cored nib of this invention the fiow is even and steady, without any fiooding or leakage no matter how long a period the marker has been in continuous use. It also may be noted here that the exposed surface fibers of the n'ib, except those at the very writing tip thereof, remain relatively dry during the operation of the marker.

As mentioned heretofore, body heat volatilizes a portion of the ink solvent present in reservoir i and a certain amount of gas pressure is built up and remains therein while valve l0, fl is maintained closed. When, however, the ink in auxiliary reservoir 6 becomes exhausted and downward pressure is brought to bear upon the writing point of the nib to effect momentary opening of the valve H), H, this gas, together with a small quantity of ink, is released from reservoir 5 and passes down channel 9 into auxiliary reservoir 6. From there the gas is quickly dissipated into 'the atmosphere via the minute openings between the fibres of the nib,

while the ink flow, as heretofore explained, is principally down through the center fibers of the nib and along the surface of its core at a rate sufllcient to permit of continuous normal use of the marker without any leakage whatsoever.

Nor will any leakage occur when the marker is not in use even though its auxiliary reservoir be filled with ink and its exposed writing end be left pointed vertically downward. The reason for this is probably that atmospheric pressure about the exposed portion of the nib coupled with rapid volatilizing of the ink solvent effects a balancing or neutralizing of the downward pressure exerted by the ink flowing from auxiliary reservoir 6.

The writing point of the nib l4 illustrated in the accompanying drawing is shown chisel or wedge shaped for writing with either a heavy or a thin line depending upon how the device is held withrespect to the writing surface. Of course, if it is desired to mark a surface with a still wider line, a nib having a T. triangular or other shaped writing point may be' interchanged therefor. I

The uses to which a marking device of the type contemplated by the present invention may be put are many although it is p im y intended for ready marking or writing upon any ty pe of smooth surface, such as paper, cardboard, wood, prepared fabric surfaces and the like, with a thin, quick drying, volatile solvent dye ink.

Having thus described the invention, its uses and advantages, what is claimed is:

1. A fountain marking device for volatile solvent dye-ink, comprising a solvent-tight dye-ink reservoir. a tip member adapted for solvent-tight removable engagement with said reservoir, said tip member having a first central longitudinal bore of substantial diameter adapted to receive and frictionally retain a marking nib, an absorbent fibrous marking nib having a diameter substantially the same as said first bore reciprocably mounted therein, said tip member having a second central longitudinal bore of substantially smaller diameter than said first bore extending from the inner end thereof to said first bore to provide a connection permitting the flow of dye-ink from the reservoir to the fibrous marking nib, a valve at the inner end of the tip member for controlling the flow of dye-ink to said marking nib, a spring in the inner end of said first central longitudinal bore normally urging said valve to closed position and the marking nib to marking position with the outer end protruding from the outer end of said tip. said valve .beingdisplaceable to open position by pressure exerted longitudinally on the protruding end of the marking nib to permit a supply of dye-ink to fiow from the reservoir into said first central longitudinal bore and to said marking nib.

v 2. A fountain marking device for volatile solvent dye-ink, comprising a solvent-tight dyeink reservoir, a tip member adapted for solventtight removable engagement with said reservoir, said tip member having a first central longitudinal bore of substantial diameter adapted to receive and frictionally retain a marking nib, an absorbent fibrous marking nib having a diameter substantially the same as said first bore reciprocably mounted therein, a tight-fitting, rigid band encompassing the marking nib for a'substantial portion of its length intermediate the ends thereof, said tip member having a second central longitudinal bore of substantially smaller diameter than said first bore extending from the inner end thereof to said first bore to provide a connection permitting the flow of dyeink from the reservoir to the fibrous marking nib, a valve at the inner end of the tip member for controlling the flow of dye-ink to said marking nib, a spring in the inner end of said first central longitudinal bore normally urging said valve to closed position and the marking nib to marking positionwith the outer end protruding from the outer end of said tip, said valve being displaceable to open position by pressure exerted longitudinally on the protruding end of the marking nib to permit a supp y of dye-ink to flow from the reservoir into said first central longitudinal bore and to said marking nib.

3. A fountain marking device for volatile solvent dye-ink, comprising insolvent-tight dyeink reservoir, a tip member adaptedfor solventtight removable engagement with said reservoir,

band encompassing the marking nib for a substantial portion ofits length intermediate the ends thereof, said tip member having a second central longitudinal bore of substantially smaller diameter than said first bore extending from the inner end thereof to said first bore to provide a connection permitting the flow of dye-ink from the reservoir to the fibrous marking nib, a valve at the inner end of the tip member for con trolling the flow of dye-ink to said marking nib, spring means for normally urging said valve to closed Position, and spring means for normally urging the marking nib to marking position with the outer end protruding from the outer end of said tip, said valve being displaceable to open position by pressure exerted longitudinally on the protruding end of the marking nib to permit a supply of dye-ink to flow from the reservoir into 5 tion, and spring means iornormally urging the said first central longitudinal bore and to said marking nib.

4. A fountain marking device for volatile solvent dye-ink, comprising a solvent-tight dyeink reservoir, a tip member adapted for solventtight removable engagement with said reservoir, said tip, member having a first central longitudinal bore of substantial diameter adapted to receive and frictionally retain a marking nib, an absorbent fibrous marking nib having a diameter substantially the same as said first bore reciprocably mounted therein, a tight-fitting, rigid band encompassing the marking nib for a substantial portion of its length intermediate the ends thereof, a substantially rigid core extending longitudinally within the marking nib for a substantial portion of the length thereof, said tip member having a second central longitudinal bore of substantially smaller diameter than said first bore extending from the inner end thereof to said first here to provide a connection permitting the flow of dye-ink from the reservoir to the fibrous marking nib, a valve at the inner end of the tip member for controlling the fiow of dye-ink to said marking nib, spring means for normallylurging said valve to closed posimarking nib to marking position with the outer I end protruding from the outer end of said tip,

said valve being displaceable to open position by pressure exerted longitudinally on the protruding and of the marking nib to permit a supply of dye-ink to fiow from the reservoir into said first said tip member having a first central longitum nal bore of substantial diameter adapted to receive and frictionally retain a marking nib, an absorbent fibrous marking nib. having a diameter substantially the same as said first bore reciprocably mounted therein, a tight-fitting, rigid end of the tip member for controlling the fiow---- :egtral longitudinal bore and to said marking 5. A fountain marking device forvolatile sol-- vent dye-ink, comprising a solvent-tight dye-ink reservoir, a tip member adapted for solvent-tight removable engagement with said reservoir, said tip member having a first central longitudinal bore of substantial diameter adapted to receive and frictionally retain a marking nib, an absorbent fibrous marking nib having a diameter substantially the same as said first bore reciprocably mounted'therein, a tight-fitting, rigid band encompassing the marking nib for a substantial portion of its length intermediate the ends thereof, a substantially rigid core extending longitudinally within the marking nib for a substantial portion of the length thereof, said tip member having a second central longitudinal bore of substantially smaller diameter than said the protruding end of the marking nib to permit a supply of dye-ink to flow from the reservoir into said first central longitudinal bore and to said marking nib.

6. A fountain marking device for volatile solvent dye-ink, comprising a solvent-tight dye-ink reservoir, a tip member adapted for solventtight removable engagement with said reservoir, said tip member having a first central longitudinal bore of substantial diameter adapted to receive and frictionally retain a marking nib, an absorbent fibrous marking nib having a diameter substantially the same as said first bore reciprocably mounted therein, a tight-fitting, rigid band encompassing the marking nib for a substantial portion of its length intermediate theends thereof, a substantially rigid, smoothsurfaced core extending longitudinally within the marking nib for a substantial portion of the length thereof, said tip member having a second central longitudinal bore of substantially smaller diameter than said first bore extendin from the inner end thereof to said first bore to provide a connection permitting the fiow of dye-ink from the reservoir to the fibrous marking nib, a valve at the inner end of the tip member for controlling the fiow of dye-ink to said marking nib, spring means for normally urging said valve to closed position, and spring means for normally urging the marking nib to marking position with the outer end protruding from the outer end of said tip, said valve being displaceable to open position by pressure exerted longitudinally on the protruding end of the marking nib to permit a supply of dye-ink to flow from the reservoir into said first central lorgitudinal bore and to said marking nib.

7. A fountain marking device for volatile solvent dye-ink, comprising a solvent-tight dye-ink reservoir, a tip member adapted for solventtight removable engagement with said reservoir surfaced core extending longitudinally within the marking nib from the inner end thereof to within a short distance from the outer markin end thereof, said tip member having a second central longitudinal bore of substantially smaller diameter than said first bore extending from one end thereof to said first bore to provide a connection permitting the fiow of dye-ink from the reservoir! to the fibrous marking nib, a valve at the inner end of the tip member for controlling the fiow of dye-ink to said markin nib, spring means for normally urging said valve to closed position, and spring means for normally urging the marking nib to marking position with the outer end protruding from the outer end of said tip, said valve being displaceable to open position by pressure exerted longitudinally on the protruding end of the marking nib to permit a supply of dye-ink to fiow from the reservoir into said first central longitudinal bore and to said marking nib.

8. A fountain marking device for volatile solvent dye-ink, comprising a solvent-tight dye-ink reservoir, a 'tip member adapted for solventtight removable engagement with said reservoir, said tip member having a first central longitudinal bore of substantial diameter adapted to receive and frictionally retain a marking nib, an absorbent fibrous marking nib having a diameter substantially the same as said first bore reciprocably mounted therein, a tight-fitting, rigid band encompassing the marking nib for a substantial portion of its length intermediate the ends thereof, a substantially rigid, smooth-surfaced core extending longitudinally within the marking nib from the inner end thereof to within a short distance from the outer marking end thereof, said tip member having a second central longitudinal bore of substantially smaller diameter than said first bore extending from one end thereof to said first bore to provide a connection permitting the fiow of dye-ink from the reservoir to the fibrous marking nib, a valve at the inner end of the tip member for controllin the flow of dye-ink to said marking-nib, a spring in the inner end of said first central longitudinal bore normally urging said valve to closed position and the marking nib to marking position with the outer end protruding from the outer end of said tip, said valve being displaceable to open position by pressure exerted longitudinally on the protruding end of the marking nib to permit a supply of dye-ink ta fiow from the reservoir into said first central longitudinal bore and to said marking nib.

JUSTIN I. KINGSON. 

